Modern Mining October 2025

SUPPLY CHAIN NEWS

Cloete’s Sand and Stone takes delivery of Volvo EC300 Excavator Equipment supplier, Babcock, recently delivered the first new-generation Volvo EC300 excavator in Southern Africa to long-standing customer Cloete’s Sand and Stone - a company known for its commitment to service excellence and industry reliability since 1982. The EC300 is part of Volvo Construction Equipment’s latest

generation of excavators, which bring up to 15% improved fuel efficiency, enhanced operator comfort, and next-level productivity to the African market. Cloete’s Sand and Stone’s decision to invest in the EC300 is both a vote of confidence in the Volvo brand and a recognition of the equipment’s alignment with their business needs. “We are constantly monitoring fuel consumption across the business. Not doing so would be detrimental to our bottom line, so it’s safe to say fuel efficiency is critical.” says Wesley Cloete, Managing Director of Cloete’s Sand and Stone, who personally operated the EC300 on the day it was delivered in June 2025. Built for high production environments, the EC300 is ideal

Babcock delivered new-generation Volvo EC300 excavator to Cloete’s Sand and Stone.

The EC300 is also compatible with Volvo’s Dig Assist technology, offering precision tools such as real-time weighing, automated digging, and 360° Smart View monitoring. While it’s still early days for the new machine, Cloete’s Sand and Stone report measurable improvements in cycle times and fuel consumption. n

Vacuum and Jetting trucks are the most popular options for power plant maintenance,” he says. “The Indlovu unit is primarily being used for vacuum cleaning of wet and dry fly ash from the furnaces, as well as for sludges and slurries around the plants, and the Combi Vac Jet truck is being used for drain management within the plants.” The Indlovu units (PTO driven or independent engine variants) are engineered specifically for fly ash, slag, and dry bulk removal in plant environments. With 10,000–12,500 L stainless steel tanks and dual-cyclone filters, these units effectively suction hazardous or abrasive residues. Optional telescopic booms and water-supply tanks that support the liquid-ring vacuum pump bolster on-site flexibility. “At Werner Pumps, we pride ourselves on offering 100% locally manufactured, high quality, low maintenance and long-life equipment solutions with maintenance plans attached that allow for operations like Cloete’s, where excavators play a key role in fast, efficient loading of compacted materials. The machine’s speed and power are complemented by a completely redesigned cab that improves operator comfort and control - an important factor in improving productivity across long working hours.

Werner Pumps improve power plant maintenance

maintenance to be done conveniently onsite,” says Jolly. n

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As South Africa works to improve its power supply and stability, maintenance of power plants is receiving fresh attention. Werner Pumps, a South African manufacturer of high-pressure jetting and vacuum equipment, says there’s a definite uptick in demand for the vacuum trucks used for power plant cleaning and maintenance. George Jolly, National Marketing Manager for Werner Pumps, says the company has supplied five trucks to three different power stations – two in Limpopo, and three to Mpumalanga province. “The Werner Pumps Indlovu Vacuum Truck and Impi Wet/Dry Combination

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40  MODERN MINING  www.modernminingmagazine.co.za | OCTOBER 2025